Scale mechanism



Aug. 28, 1928.

M. H. HANSEN SCALE MECHANI SM ,al fa Patented Aug. 28, 1928.

UNITED STATES 1,682,506 PATENT l OFFICE.

MARIUs n'. IIANSEN, or cIIIcAGo, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB. 'ro HANSON BROTHERS SCALE COMPANY, or CHICAGO, ILLINoIs, A .coRroItA'rIoN oF ILLINOIS.

` scALE MEGHANISM.

Application filed July 7,

This invention relates generally to a` scale mechanism and more particularly to the type havinga tension spring therein.

In scales of this type it is desirable to have a face inclined to the vertical and usually such an arrangement nism. Y A

One object of my invention isto provide a substantial scale having an inclined face with a minimum of working elements.

Another Objectis to provide a mechanism designed to resist torsional effects from' an unbalanced load.

Still another object is to `connect to` a single member of the mechanism, all the moving parts.

Another feature of my invention is the provision` of a registering needle having. a straight rack and pinion engagement in substantially unchanging relation.

y Another object 1s to provide a scale in which lost motion can be permitted without affecting the accuracy ofthe scale.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a construction which keeps the lost motion always in the same direction.

Scales of this typejusually employ an arrangement of members in the form of a pari allelogram. Various `means have been utilized to effect a registration vof the weight and to connect the scale pan and the spring to the mechanism. In my invention I have combined these parts in such a manner that they all operate from a single member ofthe par# allelogram. This permits a design 'for -t-he member Specially adapted for economical manufacture from pressed sheet Steel, the 'ree quired form giving rigidity. In conjunction with this a rigid castmemberin the Vparallelogram keeps the whole free from torsionand permits the third member to be a single strip free from torsional effect, the fourth member being fixed and a part'of the casingyor frame.

Another feature is the angle of fixation for the .parallelogram- Since an inclined face is desired, I have established the `fixed member ofthe parallelogram parallel tothe dial face. Thus the opposite member of the parallelogram isV always parallel to the face. AThe straight rack on this parallel member `and using a wide pinion on the registering needle,

requiresv additional mechai I vsatisfy all these requirements as will more` 1923. lsemi No. 649,983.

a simple'and efficient registration.

In the manufacture ofscales of this type, economy, simplicity, accuracy, and utility `are the leadingfeatures to be 'at-tained.' In my invention'l have provided a construction to connection is made for fully appear hereinafter.

In the drawings, Fig. lis a general cross section view showing the Scale mechanism. Fig. 2 is a view of the front member. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the top member. Fig. L1 represents a scale embodying my invention and is also a graphical representation of the forces existing in a mechanism under different conditions of use, imaginary extensions of the parts being yshown 'for this purpose. Fig. 5 is a detail showing the manner of attaching the mechanism to the casing. f

In-expounding my invention Ichoose first to describe somewhat in detail ythe scale shown in Fig. 1 asl this is"typical of a com; mercially practical scale of the type towhich my invention applies. AThe principles embraced by my invention are directed to making a more accurate device of parts'which are mechanically simple and easily constructed.

The scale comprises generally the paralelloso Y gram arrangement of the topmember 10, the i pivoted to the casing .at 14 and V15, respec- Y tively, whereby the casing becomes th'evfixed member ofthe parallelogram, said member being hereinafter referred to as the fixed member 16a-nd represented bythe dotted line designated 16. VThe casing 13 is economically made of sheet material to lessen the weight ofl the whole and'yet to1 furnish the required strength for the capacity of the scalev with-j out impairing' its accuracy. `However, my invention relates to a scalemechanism whichr may be supported by any fixed frame or member, instead of the casing 13'.v In connection with this feature of accuracy there is an important relation of the scale mechanism as I have designed it to the casing or Support to maintain the accuracy. f

` The member 11 has the extension 17 thereon extending inwardly of the parallelogram. At the point 18 the spring 19 is attached, ex

tending upwardlywhere itis held by the casing 13 at 20. In attaching the spring at the upper end a disk ,2l-is adjustably held be` tween adjacent coilsl in the spring and a link 22 centrally held by the disk has a thumb Screw 23 engaging the casing 13. The disk 21 is capable ot' being screwed into the spring to vary the` number or" coils which are active' in the scale, and the screw 23 is capable of ad# justmcnt to varythe tension of these coils.

The front member 11 is pressed from cold rolled steel having the general form of a channel iron with the sides 24, the top having the bent piece 26 in which is pivotcd the rack member 25. To the rear ot the rontmembei', extending-'back and upwardly, is the bracket. 27 ofsheet material, fastened tothe front imember by the bent ears 28. The top member V is av castpiece having the form shown Fig. 3 withthe opening 29 through lwhich the bracket member 27 passes upwardly. Members 10 `and'll are pivotedr together at 30. `The construction of each, by the "width of themeinbers, vis a guard to resist .f torsion edects which tend to occurby placing the weight upon different parts ot rthe scale pan 31 supported by the post 32 in tapered holes 32L and 32? in the bracket 27.

yThe bottom member 12 is a simple link connected tothe front member at and to the fixed memberfl -at as shown inFig. 5. The pivot 15 isarod extending through the support 34C which has two parallel circular channels thereimvmade by rolling the edges ofa single strip of material.V The-'rod 15 is U-shaped at. oneend 35 .toV form alocking leg 36,. which holds .the support34` rigid to the frame. Atthe otherend of 15 are threads and-annut 37 therefor which secure it -to the casing; QA slot 38 in the suppOrt 34 permits the engagement of member 12 by ,the piv- Havng'described Lthe* general character of the essential members, I now wish to Show the t relationof the same to the design, theaccuracyandthe general vpurposes of my invention; 'Thisis best done by reference tothe -I plane oftlie'drawing. Any object W applied on the scaley pan is effective on the rigid member 11., upon a line through they center ot gravity of the object 1V. A

'In Fig. 4 the` pan is shown as having an imaginary extension for the purpose of eX- planation only. In operation oi the scale the Vforces acting on member 1 1 .bring it to-.sta'ble equilibrium. According to its positionon `the pan the force may be-'applied anywhere as A, B, or C.. A and C arel upon the same side ot' thev point 18 while B is ion the opposite side,-

the direction being taken substantially along Athe plane of :the parallelograin.l It is thus seen that weight at A or C tends to rotate the member 11 counter-clockwise, while the weight at B tends to rotate it clock-wise. Vhen the weight is at B, the member 10 is in tension and 12 in compression. When the weight is at A 'or C the vmember 10 is in coin'- pression and 12is'in tension. Consequently a shift of the weight on the scale pan such thaty the center of gravity changes from one to the other side of point 18 causes a shift of the forces in the parallclogram. For rcasons of economy in manufacture, there always a certain amount of lost motion or slack in a scale of this class. It' is: my object to keep this slackl always in one direction. It

is obvious that a shift of the center of grav! ity as described will change thel slack in the mechanism so that inaccuracies of registra tion will result.l And in additioinsuch a shift will register on the dial anyr buckling or iicxure of the casing or supportsfw'hich f form the fixed member 16 of the parallelou gram.- 1 Therefore, since the tlexure 15s always in the. same direction in a. scale embodyingr my invention, a lighter weight material may beused for the casing. In the arrangement wliichI have. used, I desire to have the center of gravity back of thev point 10, thus keeping member 12in tension and 10 in compression. This permits the use of a strip for member 12 as there will be no occasion. for it i to buckle. Likewise the form of the member 10, as made to resist the torsional eifect, y

provides a substantial structure to'resist coinpression.

The farther point C moved from 18 `the greater becomes Vthetension and compression in the members 412 and 10. As the width of the Vscale .pan will allow some vdeviation in the locus of the center lof gravity the relative change will be lessened the farther the point *C 0f aPlvllcation'is removed from .18; rl`herefore it is desirable `that the. post 32 be. carriedas far backon the scale as-is.- convenientlypossible, and thepointlas Jliar front as is conveniently/possible. The embodiment shownV in Fig. 1 hasa scale pan which does not overhang the back of the casing. f The limitationsin this 'respect' are forY utility. andY in. no

way limitthe invention.

, Other featuresof my invention relate/to the lpositioning'of the parallelogram inthe casing. The Ii'xed memberl is at anangle tothe vertical, .whichangle is that .desired for the face 39 yof the scale. lThe members 16,

l1l and 39 then become parallel at all times and the distance-between members 11 and 39 varies according?- to the angularity of the parallelogram. The dial 39 has a central opening for pin 40 having needle Hand the pinion 42 thereon.,` The rack 27 is carried by member 11 parallel to it and pivoted to it at 3; Inrhanging fre-ely on its pivot 43 the rack 25 moves to the left in Fig. 2 or againstthepinion 4t2, vwhich has al substantiallwidth to parallelogram, one of nesasoe accommodate thel VchangingV distance between the members 11 and 39.' A bar ail attached to, or a part of, the casing 18 receives the pin a() as a bearing therefor and also the screwsV 45 which hold the face 39 in place. One ot the screws l5 serves as agiiide tof prevent the rack 27 Jrrom falling away trom the pinion 42.

The principle upon which the scale is .biiilt is .capable ot many variations for diilierent purposes and these willnaturally occiir to those skilled in the art- While l have referred in my drawings to various members as the` troni', bottom and top members and to certain directions as tro-ntv and rear, these terms are in no way to be construedas lim iting my invention.` drawings are but one arrangement'. accord# ing to my invention, and are shown for the purpose of illustration only. it is to be iinderstood that other forms can bebuilt whichy will exemplify lmy invention in a similarly precise manner, so that I desire the invention to be limited only by the appended claims.`

l claim asl my invention:

l.' A scale mechanism having, in combination, a casing, four members arranged as a said members Abeing lined to the casing, the opposite being a rigid member and having a projection thereon, carrying ascale pan, therigid member also having a spring extending-to the casing, said spring being adapted to resist a weight on the scale pan, the position of the springbeing sueli that the center ot gravity of the weight when placed approximately centrally on the scale pan remains normally on the same side of `the spring inthedirection of the plane of theparallelogra'm.

Q. A scale mechanism having, incombina-` fourmembers arranged as a of said members being Vthe opposite member a scale pan and tion, a casing, parallelogram, one rigid with the casing, having rigid means carrying other rigid means held by aV tension device to the casing, the position ot the tension force when the weight is placed approximatelyV centrally on the scale pan being always on the same side ot the center of gravity ot the weight oii the scale pan in the direction ot the plane ot' the parallelogram..

8. A scale mechanism having, in combination, a casing, ai'igid member, a scale pan on said member adapted to receive a weight, tension means between 4said member and the casing to resist the weight, a compression resisting link from one end of the rigid member to the casing, and atension resisting link from the other end of the rigid member to the casing, the scale panbeing adapted when the weight is positioned approximately eentrally on the scale pan to maintain the center of gravity of the weight thereon on one side or the line of action ot the tension means.

4. A scalemeclianisin having, in combina-V tion, a casing, a rigid member, a scale pan on The .scales yshown in the4 `on on one side oiithe line o'l action of the tension lmesans in the ,direction o'll the-liiiks- '5. A scale mechanism having, in combina?v tion, a rame,a rigid member, a scale pan on said rigid member adapted to receive a weight, resistance ineans'between the `frame and the rigid member adapted to oppose the weight on the scale pan, a compression link from one yend of the rigid member .to the traine, and a tension link trom the other end of the rigid member tothe traine,the Weight when positioned over the center of the .scale pan having its line oit application to the rigid .member always on'the same side inthe direc.-

tion of the links ot the lineot application oit the resisting'means, whereby saidlinks are properly held in tension and compression as required.. f

6. A scale mechanism having, in combination, a lined member, a rigid member, a scale pan on said rigid member, adapted to'receive weight, .resistance means between said lined and rigid members adapted i to oppose thel that in normal use it will maiirk ing, and a tension link roiirftlie other end weight, parallellinks from said rigid meine ber tothe iixed member, the weight when positioned mainly over the center ot thescale pan having its line oi' application to the rigid member always on the saine side v,ci the resisting means -in the direction ,ot the links, whereby said links are always intensionl or compression as the case may be.

7. A scale mechanism having,` inl combination, a fixed meinberpa rigidmember, a scale pan on said rigid member, adapted to receive a weight, resistance means between said fixed and rigid members adapted to oppose the weight, links from said rigid member to the fixed member, the weight when positioned mainly over the lcenter of the `scale pan having its lineot application tothe rigid mem#` ber always on the same side oi' the resisting means in thediiection ot the'links, whereby said links are alwaysin tension or compres-- sion as the case-may be.

8. A scale mechanism having, in combination, a fixed meinbeig'a rigid member, a scale pan on said rigid member adaptedV to receive a weight, resistance means between the rigid and the fixed members, adapted to oppose the weight, two links from said rigid member to the fixed member adapted to stabilize the rigid'member, said links being adapted for tension or compression, the rigid member being vheld in stable equilibrium by the forces ot tlie weight, the resisting means and thel iio 4 l t y A 17,682,506

links, the relative directions of said forces about a fixed center remaining unchangedby shifting the weight on the scale pan so long as the weight ispositioned approximately centrally on the scale pau. f

9. A scale mechanism comprising a hxed frame, members arranged as a parallelogram,

one of said members being iixed to the frame, the opposite member being a rigid member, the other members being links, resisting means acting on the rigid member from the frame in a substantially vertical direction, a

scale pan carried by the rigid member having its area substantially oiiset ralong the "f I direction of the link members from the line of action of the resisting means, whereby in the use of the scale the direction of the forces in the parallelogram remains unchanged by the shifting of the weight on the scale pan f so long as the weight is positioned approximately centrally on the scale pan.

l0. In a scale mechanism having, in combination, members linked together, a scale panto receive a weight and resisting meansi to oppose the weight,"a lateral extension on Y one of said members to receive either. one of the forces of the resisting means and the weight n the scale pan, pivotal connections between theilinks having some lost motion therebetween, the lateral extension serving 'to create distance between the lines of said forces, said distance remaining positiveV in one direction by shifting the weight centrally onv the scale pan, whereby the lost motion in the linked members is maintained in the same direction. Y

11. Ascale. mechanism having a casing, four members in said casing pivoted as'a parallelogram, the first of said members-be'- ing fixed to the casing, an adjacent andsec-` ond member being a member' with substantial width and thickness to resist torsion and compression and vhaving an opening therein,

thenext and third vmember beinga rigid member having a substantial Width and thickness to resist torsion, the fourth member being a single strip linking the irst and third members adapted to resist tension, a bracket on thev rigid member, extending rearwardly, having holes therein in vertical alineinent, a scale pan and post thereon adapted to fit said holes in the bracket, a rearwardly extending ear on the rigid'member, a tension spring extending from the ear tol the casing in a substantially vertical direction, the bracket and the spring passing through the openings of lthe second member, and means on the. rigid member to cause indication of thevertical displacement thereof by a weight on the scale pan; y

l12. Inv a scale having a scale pan and a weight resister therein, a parallelogram link V age forsaid scale, said .linkage having a member in the parallelogram adaptedvprimarily for tension, said pan Vand weight resister Vbeing so related lto the linkage that said member is under tension when the weight is positioned on the scale pan withits center of gravity to the samev side of the weight resister as the center of said pan.

13. In a scale having a scale mechanism of the class described including a rigid member linked for motion substantially parallel to itself in different positions, a rack on said member parallel thereto adapted to engage a pinion, a bracket Vsecured to said member by bent ears passing therethrough, an'ear on said member being a part thereof turned at an angleto the plane of the member, and channel sides onvsaid member being inte al therewith, the member being substantial y a sheet of steel, struck `out and'turned to the form described. y Y 7 1 In testimony whereof, "I have hereunto ailixed my signature.

` MARIUS H. HANSEN. 

